Transformers 2, Smallville, Captain America: June 24th Comic Reel

Screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman took time for one last interview with Mania.com before the big opening, discussing which mechanoids made it. "It was basically Hasbro, Michael [Bay] and the two of us all sitting down and looking through everything, seeing what's cool. For our part, we looked at how they might interact with Sam. For Michael, it was how cool they were going to look in motion or what was going to photograph well. From Hasbro's point of view, it was which one made the coolest toy. It was a combination of those three things, and making sure that every one of those decisions was balanced. I remember that Hasbro set up a great presentation: these giant posters of all the Transformers that they were suggesting. There were size comparisons to each other and scale and all of that. It was almost like staring at a giant menu of Transformers."

Actor Shia Lebeouf is already talking about the next sequel (to the Associated Press that is), saying a third installment "will be darker. Something crazy will happen. Someone has to die." Time for Rodimus Prime?

You can also catch some last glimpses of the story line in the new Linkin Park video at MySpace. Thanks to Holden for the heads up on that.

Release date: holy cow, it's today!

SMALLVILLE

According to the Hollywood Reporter, British actor Callum Blue has joined the cast as a series regular as General Zod.

Next episode: fall 2009.

THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA

Many people may think it's not really news when actor Tyrese Gibson told MTV about his new comic property Mayhem and how he's still up to star as "Luke Cage." However, he said something else ... interesting. "The energy from Comic-Con really did something to me," Gibson said. "Instead of me sitting back and waiting on 'Luke Cage' to finally happen -- which I'm still looking forward to doing once they get the script together -- and instead of me waiting on 'Captain America,' which they were talking about me for, I'm going to create my own. And that's what I did." Wait, what?

Release date: July 22, 2011.

THE LOSERS

Box Office Mojo is reporting that Warner Bros. Pictures has set a release date for the Vertigo adaptation.

If you read through this report from the Licensing International Expo 2009, you'll find plans for a new FF. "Then comes 2011, when the studios start to get serious about super heroes once more with the fourth installment of the 'Spider-Man' film series as well as 20th Century Fox's reboot of its 'Fantastic Four' film franchise. Which will reportedly feature an all-new cast as well as a far darker take on this classic Marvel comic." Props to Phil Edwards for spotting that one.

Good news down under: Variety is reporting that the series will air on Australia's Channel Nine as part of an output deal with WBTV.

Starring Mark Valley and Chi McBride, series debut: January 17, 2010.

KICK-ASS

If you're patient, you can sit through this episode of "The Tonight Show" to see actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse talk about the movie a bit (after the Eva Mendes interview).

SANDY, CAN WE ROLL THAT CLIP?

If you have the scoop on anything related to comic book movies, TV adaptations or just want to give us a truck full of cash, no questions asked, drop us a line and let's coordinate. You can choose an alias if you'd like, or be mentioned by name -- we honor requests for anonymity. Broadcasting live from Los Angeles, this is your humble scribe Hannibal Tabu saying thanks for your time and indulgence, and The Hundred and Four is listening to Main Source.